Sharm El-Sheikh: ATV and Camel Ride with BBQ Dinner and Show

The best part of this Sharm El-Sheikh excursion comes after sunset, when the desert turns into an outdoor astronomy lesson. You ride through the Sinai desert, stop for Bedouin tea and a camel ride, then finish beneath a dark sky with telescopes, a BBQ, and traditional shows. The stargazing gives this safari more purpose than a simple quad-bike outing.

I especially like the generous mix of activities for $35: a long ATV or buggy ride, camel riding, dinner, entertainment, and astronomy. I also like the warm, hands-on guiding from people such as Ibrahim, called Coconut by many groups, and Sabry, who handles the astronomy portion. The main caution is equipment quality. Some quads need adjustment, and helmet buckles and accelerators may feel worn.

Key points at a glance

• A 50-minute desert ride includes two stops: one for mountain echoes and one for Bedouin tea, camel riding, and views.
• The astronomy session is more than a quick look: you use telescopes and can ask for a phone photo of the moon through the telescope.
• Dinner includes grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, bread, water, and a soft drink.
• The evening show includes fire performance, Tanura dancing, Bedouin dancing, and music.
• Guides such as Ibrahim, known as Coconut, and Sabry receive especially warm praise for their humor and care.
• Bring cash and a scarf if possible: photos, tips, scarves, goggles, and shisha may cost extra.

From hotel pickup to the Sinai safari station

Your evening begins with pickup from your Sharm El-Sheikh hotel in an air-conditioned van. The exact pickup time depends on your hotel and the evening schedule, but the transport is designed to take you directly to the safari station.

At the station, the guides explain the route and show you how to operate the ATV or dune buggy. You also receive help wrapping a scarf if you have one. Listen closely here. The desert ride is not difficult in principle, but the controls can feel stiff on some vehicles, especially the accelerator and brake.

You should leave passports, phones, cash, and other loose items in your bag before riding. Dust, bumps, and stops make a secure bag far more useful than a phone in your pocket. Bring comfortable clothes and shoes that you do not mind getting dusty.

The vehicle depends on the option you book. Some outings use single quad bikes, while others offer double quads or dune buggies. For safety, a double quad may be changed to a single quad based on weight or balance. An additional fee of €10 per person may apply, so check the option carefully before paying.

A 50-minute ride through the desert

The driving portion lasts about 50 minutes and includes two planned breaks. That is a good length for a first desert ride. You get enough time to feel the open space and dust without spending the entire evening focused on one activity.

The first stop is at the giant mountains, where the guide demonstrates the echo of your voice. It is a simple idea, but it gives the group a chance to pause, take pictures, and notice the scale of the rock around you. This is also a useful break if you are new to quad biking.

The second stop is at a Bedouin camp. Here you have Bedouin tea and bread, then ride a camel with a panoramic mountain view. The camel ride is short compared with the ATV portion, but it gives the evening a different pace. Quad biking is noisy and active. Camel riding is slower and more traditional.

You should keep your expectations realistic. This is an organized tourist camp, not a remote village visit or a long cultural stay. Still, the tea, bread, camel ride, and desert setting add a local element that a basic ATV rental would miss.

Choosing between an ATV and a dune buggy

The ATV option gives you the most direct sense of the desert. You control the bike, follow the guide, and feel every change in the track. It suits adults and older teenagers who want an active ride and are comfortable with basic vehicle controls.

A dune buggy may feel more stable and social, depending on the option selected. It can suit couples, families, or anyone who prefers a seated vehicle with more protection around the sides. The exact vehicle provided depends on the booking choice, so do not assume every departure uses the same machine.

The ride is generally controlled rather than a high-speed race. You are part of a guided group, and the trip includes scheduled pauses. Even so, the condition of the vehicles matters. Some quads have needed maintenance, with shaking at certain speeds or controls that feel less smooth than expected.

I would check your vehicle before setting off. Make sure the brake and accelerator respond properly, and ask the guide about anything that feels wrong. Helmet straps have also been described as worn, so fasten yours carefully and speak up if it does not sit securely.

Bedouin tea, camel riding, and the camp atmosphere

The tea stop gives you a chance to cool down, settle your nerves, and enjoy something other than engine noise. Bedouin tea and bread are included, while the camel ride offers views across the mountain area.

The camel handlers can be friendly and playful, but you should carry small cash if you want to tip. You do not have to tip, and guides can help explain local expectations. Keeping a few Egyptian pounds handy is sensible for small tips and purchases.

A scarf is useful for more than appearance. It helps protect your face from dust during the ride and can keep the evening air off your neck. Scarves and protective goggles are not included unless you select the relevant add-on, so bring your own if possible. One visitor found the scarf price high at the station, which is a good reason to pack one from your hotel or buy one before the tour.

BBQ dinner and three traditional shows

After the camel stop, you continue to another Bedouin camp for dinner and entertainment. The meal is an open buffet with grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, and a soft drink. Water is included as well.

The menu is straightforward, filling camp food rather than fine dining. That is exactly what works here. After dust, riding, and the cooler desert air, a hot plate of grilled food feels welcome. The BBQ has received particularly strong praise, and some people have found it better than the meals at their hotels.

You also get Bedouin bread, which adds a useful touch to the meal. If you have dietary restrictions, the provided information does not promise special menus, so ask the operator before booking rather than relying on the buffet to meet your needs.

The show includes a fire performer, a Tanura show, and Bedouin dancing. The fire act supplies the spectacle, while the spinning Tanura performance gives the program its most recognizable Egyptian visual. The Bedouin dance provides a cultural link to the setting, though the event remains a staged tourist performance rather than a private village gathering.

Shisha is not included. It may be available at an extra charge, but you should not count on it being part of the $35 price.

Stargazing with telescopes after dinner

The astronomy session is the feature that makes this outing different from many desert safaris around Sharm El-Sheikh. Once the entertainment and meal are finished, the group moves to a darker area to look at stars and planets through astronomical telescopes.

A professional guide or astronomer explains the night sky and points out objects visible from the desert. The quality of the session depends on the weather, moonlight, and the time of year, but the desert location gives you a better setting for stargazing than a brightly lit hotel district.

Sabry has been singled out for his astronomy explanations and attention to the group. Ibrahim, known as Coconut, is also praised for keeping the mood lively while making sure people understand what is happening. The strongest guides do more than move you from stop to stop. They explain the activity, watch the group, and make the evening feel relaxed.

Bring your phone. The guide can take a picture of the moon through the telescope if you ask. This is a practical detail, since ordinary phone cameras struggle with the night sky. Do not expect professional deep-space photography, but a telescope view of the moon can make a memorable souvenir.

The stargazing is not a private observatory visit. You share the equipment and the explanation with the group, and the time at the telescope may be limited. Still, it adds a quiet finish after the noise of the quad bikes and the camp show.

How the $35 price compares

At $35 per person, this is a strong value if you want several activities in one evening. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a guide, the ATV or buggy experience, camel riding, tea, bread, an open buffet dinner, drinks, shows, and stargazing.

Buying each part separately would usually take more planning and could cost more. The real value is the range: you do not have to choose between a desert ride, dinner, and astronomy. You receive all three in one organized outing.

The low price also means you should not expect luxury. The vehicles may show wear, the camp entertainment is staged, and the meal is buffet-style. Photo and video sellers may offer pictures during the excursion, sometimes at prices that feel high. You can decline politely, and you should agree on the price before accepting any photo service.

A little cash is useful. Tips are optional, but guides, camel handlers, and drivers may appreciate them. Egyptian pounds are practical, although some people carry small amounts in another currency. Do not feel pressured into paying for extras you do not want.

Who will enjoy this evening most

This tour suits you if you want an active but varied outing. Families with teenagers can combine quad biking with food and entertainment, while couples and solo visitors get a full evening without arranging separate transport.

It is also a good choice if you want to see more than the resort side of Sharm El-Sheikh. The desert ride, tea, camel stop, and astronomy session give you a taste of the region beyond the beach hotels.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. It may also be a poor fit if you dislike dust, bumpy vehicles, staged shows, or group activities. Anyone with concerns about operating an ATV should choose the buggy option if available or ask the operator about the safest choice.

Guiding is one of the biggest strengths. Names you may hear include Ibrahim, called Coconut, Omar, Youssef, Hassan, Nana, Mario, and Sabry. The exact guide depends on the departure, but the operation uses English, Russian, Italian, and Arabic.

Useful preparation for the desert evening

Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes. Long trousers can help protect your legs from dust, and a scarf is worth packing even if you do not usually wear one.

Take a camera or phone, but secure it during the ride. You will want it for the mountain views, camel stop, dinner camp, and moon viewing. Leave your passport and unnecessary valuables in a safe bag rather than carrying them on the ATV.

The excursion includes transport in air-conditioned vehicles, but the desert portion is outdoors. The temperature can change after sunset, so a light extra layer is sensible if you tend to feel cold.

Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. The experience can be booked in advance without paying immediately, which helps if your hotel plans are still changing.

Should you book the Sharm El-Sheikh desert safari?

Book it if you want a lot of variety for $35 and like the idea of mixing adventure with food, culture, and astronomy. The best reasons to choose it are the 50-minute ride, the generous meal, the telescope session, and the guides, especially Ibrahim, Omar, Youssef, and Sabry.

Skip it if you want polished equipment, a quiet private desert outing, or an unstructured cultural visit. The quads may need maintenance, the photo sellers can be persistent, and the shows are designed for tourists.

For most visitors who want an easy way to experience the Sinai desert after dark, I would book it. Bring your own scarf, keep some small cash in your pocket, inspect the vehicle before riding, and ask Sabry or the astronomy guide to photograph the moon through the telescope.

FAQ

What is included in the $35 price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a professional guide and astronomer, an ATV or dune buggy experience depending on the selected option, camel riding, Bedouin tea and bread, an open buffet BBQ dinner, water, a soft drink, traditional shows, and stargazing.

How long is the ATV or buggy ride?

The driving portion lasts 50 minutes and includes two breaks. The return drive from the desert camp to the safari station takes about 30 minutes at night.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. The camel ride is included and takes place at the Bedouin camp after the tea stop.

What food is served at dinner?

The open buffet includes grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, Bedouin bread, water, and a soft drink.

Is a scarf or protective goggles included?

No. A scarf, called an Arafat scarf in the tour information, and protective goggles are not included unless selected as an add-on. Bringing your own scarf is a practical choice.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. Double quads may also be changed to single quads for safety reasons based on weight or balance, with an extra fee of €10 per person potentially applying.